Challenges facing the Australian media and Australia’s economic relationship with China were the key themes of a program for senior Chinese editors and directors organised by the Asia Pacific Journalism Centre in April 2017.

The group, led by Mr Tang Yiyuan, deputy editor-in-chief of Beijing Daily Group, group visited Sydney and Melbourne for discussions with representatives of government, business, academia and media, as part of APJC’s on-going relationship with the All China Journalists Association.

In Sydney, the marketing officer for NewsMediaWorks, Charlie Murdoch outlined the challenges media organisations face in finding secure revenue streams in an age of digital advertising. At the ABC‘s Ultimo Headquarters, the group met managing editor coverage, Gavin Fang, and head of digital operations for ABC International, David Hua.

Tang Yiyuan with BHP vice president corporate affairs James Agar

At a round-table discussion and dinner with senior Australian journalists, the group shared their perspectives on the likely impact of economic growth of China’s One Belt One Road initiative. The function was co-hosted by Professor Bob Carr, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute, and Bill Petrovski, principal of William Roberts Lawyers.

In Melbourne, the group discussed the Victorian government’s partnership with Jiangsu province at a meeting with the Department of Economic Development’s China specialist Jason Fitts. At the headquarters of BHP Billiton, vice president corporate affairs James Agar and media relations manager Paul Hitchins spoke of the opportunities BHP in sees flowing from the One Belt One Road initiative. At the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Professor Rodney Maddock outlined the character of investment between our two countries.